BOSTON, MA–PARTNERS+simons, a Myelin Communications-owned firm specializing in brand communications and integrated marketing services, today announced a new trust measurement model being rolled out to healthcare clients. The model is based on the PARTNERS+simons National Healthcare Trust Index that launched earlier this year. The Trust Index, which analyzes consumer trust levels and drivers for health plan and hospital selection, found that while trust in many institutions is at an all-time low, it is still a critical factor to those consumers making healthcare decisions.

“You can’t manage what you can’t measure,” said Rich Levy CEO of PARTNERS+simons and Myelin Communications. “Today’s consumers are empowered with information that informs their healthcare selection and many are interacting with brands in new ways, forming emotional associations with the ones they support. Healthcare brands that are able to benchmark trust levels among their customers and prospects can deploy smarter marketing strategies.”

The new measurement model will enable health plan providers and hospitals to have greater visibility and insights into where their organization ranks on the components of Trust – Ability, Integrity and Benevolence as measured against the national benchmark set by the Trust Index. This understanding will help to craft positioning and selling strategies that are responsive to any trust surplus or deficits identified.

“How brands interact with consumers influences trust,” said Steve Koczela, President of The MassINC Polling Group. “We developed this model for measuring trust with PARTNERS+simons so that healthcare organizations can measure the level of trust consumers place in their brand and see how it factors in consumer decision-making. Trust is vital in the healthcare space — even though it’s in shorter supply than ever before.”

Survey MethodologyThe PARTNERS+simons National Healthcare Trust Index, designed and conducted by The MassINC Polling Group, gathered and tracked consumer data pertaining to hospital and health plan selection trust drivers. The findings are based on survey results of more than 1,200 consumers across the U.S.

Founded in 1989, Partners & Simons is a brand communications and integrated marketing services firm with deep domain expertise in healthcare and financial services that creates communications to help people make the most important decisions in their lives. Fluent in digital and traditional communications – from online, mobile, and social media to direct mail, print, outdoor and broadcast advertising – the firm creates integrated marketing programs that connect with consumers and business-to-business buyers in meaningful, measurable ways.